Best School Districts for Your Buck in California
California boasts some of America’s top public schools and competition for homes in these districts can be fierce.
Take Piedmont, considered by some to be the best district in the San Francisco Bay Area. The average home price in Piedmont, according to Zillow, is $1,737,900. In Southern California, every single one of the schools in La Cañada Flintridge earned a perfect 10 at the popular school rating website GreatSchools. To buy a home there, be prepared to spend an average of $1.5 million. Both of these communities are well out of reach of the average worker in California, who earns about $1,100 a week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But there are hidden gems throughout the state — places where children can still get an excellent public education and home prices aren’t reserved for the very wealthy. NerdWallet crunched the numbers and found places for families who want strong schools near big cities or those who are looking to live in California’s more rural areas.
NerdWallet’s analysis
Here’s how we found the best school districts in California:
Affordability. We calculated this by averaging the district index score for median home values and selected monthly homeowner costs (which includes property tax) for the school district.
Standardized test scores. We analyzed high school STAR scores and SAT scores for the 2012-13 school year. STAR, Standardized Testing and Reporting, has since been replaced by CAASPP, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. These are the state’s student achievement assessments.
College readiness. We factored in the most recent data on graduation rates and students seeking post-secondary education.
Class size. We also considered the student-to-teacher ratio.
We analyzed 375 school districts in California. All data are from the U.S. Census Bureau or the California Department of Education.
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Key takeaways
Small areas score big. Many high performing districts we found are in more rural areas such as in Calaveras County’s Gold Country. If your career isn’t tied to a major metropolitan area, these smaller communities can offer great value.
Affordable options exist. You don’t need to spend a mint to live in a good school district. In the area that supports high-performing Shasta Union High School District in Redding, home values average $236,400.
Best school districts in California
1. Davis Joint Unified School District
Davis Joint Unified is one of the highest-performing school districts in the state with a SAT average of 1756 and a graduation rate of 97.5%. Home values in this city west of Sacramento hover at about $546,000, which is on the higher end of our top 10. The district has 21 schools, including Davis Senior High and Da Vinci Charter Academy.
2. Scott Valley Unified School District
Established in 2007, this young school district, about 40 miles south of the Oregon border, has already seen marked success. Both Etna and Fort Jones elementary schools are California distinguished schools, and Scott Valley High School also impresses with STAR scores that are in the top quarter of results statewide. The cost of a home in this district, which prides itself on its location in the valleys of Siskiyou County, is on the lower end of our top 10 at $212,800. For families seeking smaller classes, the district of 700 features about 15 students per class.
3. Palo Alto Unified School District
Palo Alto, even with higher-end San Francisco Bay Area median home values upward of $1 million, makes our list because while housing in other school districts is just as costly, the quality here can’t be matched. The district has both the highest SAT and STAR scores in the state, and 89% of students go on to graduate from post-secondary education. Furthermore, Palo Alto Unified averages a class size of 17 students — offering a personalized education at all levels.
4. Shasta Union High School District
Serving Redding and surrounding areas in Northern California, Shasta Union High School District makes our list due to a strong graduation rate, solid test scores and housing costs of $234,600. Home to the Shasta Wolves, the Enterprise Hornets and Foothill’s Cougars, Shasta Union High is a school district that offers students a variety of extracurricular activities. Award-winning music programs and activities, such as mock trials and the robotics club, create a diverse student experience.
5. Bret Harte Union High School District
Bret Harte Union High School District, in the state’s Gold Country in Calaveras County, is named after the American poet. The district makes the list due to a strong graduation rate of 94.7% and a class size of 16 students. The Bret Harte High School is the major school in this district, which although small, provides an array of athletic programs, including football, golf and swimming.
6. Walnut Valley Unified School District
Located in eastern Los Angeles County, this school district serves the cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar. The school district had one of the state’s highest graduation rates of 98.3%, as well as a high SAT average of 1785. The school district is home to Walnut High, a two-time national blue ribbon school and a seven-time California distinguished school. The school has rigorous course requirements, but also offers electives such as business management and entrepreneurship and architecture: drawing and design.
7. Siskiyou Union High School District
Siskiyou Union High is a rural school district in Northern California’s Siskiyou County. This district, which is near several national parks, includes five high schools and about 750 students. Like nearby Shasta Union, homes are among the more affordable on our list at $240,000. The district’s largest high school, Mount Shasta, scores a 7 out of 10 at GreatSchools, and offers courses ranging from music theory to business law.
8. Sutter Union High School District
Sutter Union High School District makes our list as it’s both affordable — housing here is the lowest on our top 10 at $219,000 — and it has a high graduation rate of 98.8%. The rural school district near Yuba City, in the northern part of the state, is home to Sutter Union High School, widely known in the area for its successful athletic programs. The school also offers clubs such as the Future Business Leaders of America.
9. Acalanes Union High School District
This large school district that serves four different high schools in Contra Costa County scores impressive marks across the board. The district has the state’s highest rate of students who graduate from post-secondary education, as well as a graduation rate of 98.1%, and an average SAT score of 1802. The district’s quality is even throughout, and all four of its schools place in the top 60 of California’s over 1,000 high schools.
10. Durham Unified School District
Durham Unified seeks to educate by standing by its slogan “Small Schools, Big Education.” The superintendent’s promise to provide small class sizes at every grade level is backed up by data, which show a class size of 17 students. Durham High School has graduation rates of 94.5% with 86% going on to graduate from post-secondary education. The district, with an average home value of $354,300, is an option for those who want to live only miles from Chico, home of California State University, Chico.
Methodology
The score for each district was calculated from these measures:
- Housing cost for each school district was 25% of the total score. Housing cost was calculated by averaging the district index score for median home values and selected monthly homeowner costs (which includes property tax) for the school district. The more affordable the area, the higher the cost score. Data are from the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
- Standardized testing score was 35% of the total score. The SAT average and mean scale score for the high school STAR test were equally weighted. STAR tests that were included for our rankings were summative math, integrated math 3, biology and English language arts. Data are from the California Department of Education.
- College readiness for the class of 2013 was 30% of the total score. College readiness was a combination of a school district’s high school graduation rate, which is the percentage of students who graduate in the standard four years, and the percentage of students going on to four-year institutions for higher education. Data came from the California Department of Education.
- Student-to-teacher ratio or class size was 10% of the score. This score was manually calculated by dividing the number of full-time teaching staff in a school by the number of students enrolled. Data are from the California Department of Education.
Best school districts in California (full data)
| Rank | School district | 2013 median home value | Average SAT score | High school STAR mean scale score | Graduation rate | Student-to-teacher ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davis Joint Unified | $546,000 | 1756 | 384 | 97.50% | 20.28 |
| 2 | Scott Valley Unified | $212,800 | 1569 | 368 | 92.00% | 15.91 |
| 3 | Palo Alto Unified | $1,000,000 | 1954 | 429 | 93.50% | 17.07 |
| 4 | Shasta Union High | $236,400 | 1645 | 365 | 93.40% | 21.62 |
| 5 | Bret Harte Union High | $281,600 | 1554 | 363 | 94.70% | 16.39 |
| 6 | Walnut Valley Unified | $597,800 | 1722 | 402 | 98.30% | 24.56 |
| 7 | Siskiyou Union High | $240,000 | 1609 | 350 | 89.60% | 12.96 |
| 8 | Sutter Union High | $219,300 | 1496 | 351 | 98.80% | 20.03 |
| 9 | Acalanes Union High | $813,700 | 1803 | 404 | 98.10% | 19.04 |
| 10 | Durham Unified | $354,300 | 1547 | 360 | 94.50% | 17.70 |
| 11 | Irvine Unified | $639,900 | 1813 | 398 | 95.50% | 24.87 |
| 12 | Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified | $237,300 | 1454 | 366 | 94.70% | 13.07 |
| 13 | Muroc Joint Unified | $66,000 | 1471 | 358 | 93.90% | 22.76 |
| 14 | Chico Unified | $280,300 | 1605 | 357 | 88.10% | 20.07 |
| 15 | Rocklin Unified | $329,900 | 1604 | 380 | 95.00% | 22.98 |
| 16 | Calipatria Unified | $78,700 | 1344 | 344 | 90.30% | 19.21 |
| 17 | Fall River Joint Unified | $189,000 | 1495 | 354 | 88.30% | 17.18 |
| 18 | Nevada Joint Union High | $343,700 | 1708 | 361 | 90.80% | 22.15 |
| 19 | Northern Humboldt Union High | $328,900 | 1551 | 360 | 91.00% | 17.05 |
| 20 | Silver Valley Unified | $123,200 | 1431 | 350 | 93.90% | 18.86 |
| 21 | Paradise Unified | $189,200 | 1571 | 350 | 85.30% | 19.55 |
| 22 | Fremont Union High | $895,800 | 1841 | 411 | 94.00% | 22.17 |
| 23 | Plumas Unified | $243,100 | 1539 | 355 | 92.30% | 16.60 |
| 24 | Folsom-Cordova Unified | $305,600 | 1596 | 367 | 92.80% | 23.06 |
| 25 | San Luis Coastal Unified | $484,900 | 1660 | 369 | 96.50% | 19.08 |
| 26 | Arcadia Unified | $792,900 | 1789 | 399 | 98.30% | 22.91 |
| 27 | Fortuna Union High | $266,500 | 1573 | 357 | 90.60% | 21.08 |
| 28 | Conejo Valley Unified | $597,500 | 1700 | 393 | 96.30% | 22.96 |
| 29 | Oak Park Unified | $637,500 | 1783 | 395 | 95.30% | 24.25 |
| 30 | Mendocino Unified | $504,500 | 1717 | 369 | 93.00% | 14.81 |
| 31 | Temple City Unified | $584,500 | 1713 | 387 | 94.60% | 25.21 |
| 32 | Yreka Union High | $178,700 | 1541 | 355 | 94.50% | 20.63 |
| 33 | East Nicolaus Joint Union High | $294,000 | 1519 | 371 | 92.70% | 18.16 |
| 34 | Saddleback Valley Unified | $473,300 | 1627 | 384 | 95.30% | 25.53 |
| 35 | Summerville Union High | $314,900 | 1559 | 362 | 85.50% | 15.11 |
| 36 | Roseville Joint Union High | $317,400 | 1556 | 363 | 92.30% | 22.00 |
| 37 | El Dorado Union High | $368,300 | 1610 | 373 | 93.10% | 23.54 |
| 38 | Fremont Unified | $600,300 | 1739 | 385 | 82.10% | 22.44 |
| 39 | Mariposa County Unified | $235,800 | 1577 | 354 | 90.30% | 19.00 |
| 40 | Pleasanton Unified | $708,900 | 1786 | 386 | 95.30% | 22.76 |
| 41 | Modoc Joint Unified | $158,200 | 1557 | 329 | 90.00% | 18.02 |
| 42 | Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union | $1,000,000 | 1867 | 414 | 97.10% | 19.01 |
| 43 | Center Joint Unified | $201,600 | 1538 | 359 | 89.10% | 24.20 |
| 44 | Ventura Unified | $421,900 | 1602 | 364 | 90.30% | 21.92 |
| 45 | Sonora Union High | $262,300 | 1568 | 343 | 91.20% | 20.45 |
| 46 | Eureka City Unified | $249,100 | 1471 | 352 | 89.10% | 20.16 |
| 47 | Sierra Unified | $270,400 | 1570 | 367 | 90.50% | 19.47 |
| 48 | Scotts Valley Unified | $665,300 | 1653 | 387 | 97.90% | 21.19 |
| 49 | Ferndale Unified | $358,600 | 1474 | 356 | 97.10% | 18.39 |
| 50 | Benicia Unified | $423,700 | 1587 | 368 | 98.00% | 22.87 |
| 51 | Poway Unified | $550,100 | 1688 | 386 | 95.20% | 26.66 |
| 52 | South Pasadena Unified | $820,200 | 1761 | 402 | 97.20% | 23.38 |
| 53 | Imperial Unified | $177,300 | 1458 | 350 | 96.60% | 23.64 |
| 54 | San Ramon Valley Unified | $809,800 | 1743 | 403 | 98.40% | 21.58 |
| 55 | Elk Grove Unified | $238,500 | 1460 | 351 | 88.10% | 19.02 |
| 56 | Placer Union High | $357,900 | 1573 | 362 | 92.50% | 22.78 |
| 57 | Glendora Unified | $492,200 | 1594 | 370 | 97.90% | 23.92 |
| 58 | Golden Valley Unified | $262,800 | 1481 | 377 | 86.60% | 21.86 |
| 59 | Los Alamitos Unified | $566,000 | 1629 | 391 | 97.20% | 25.55 |
| 60 | San Lorenzo Valley Unified | $472,300 | 1634 | 368 | 94.40% | 19.75 |
| 61 | Lincoln Unified | $228,500 | 1529 | 354 | 85.20% | 23.72 |
| 62 | Lemoore Union High | $195,000 | 1447 | 360 | 87.60% | 20.38 |
| 63 | Clovis Unified | $264,900 | 1510 | 369 | 92.10% | 24.28 |
| 64 | Gridley Unified | $183,100 | 1440 | 352 | 83.50% | 20.31 |
| 65 | Albany City Unified | $621,900 | 1752 | 392 | 91.00% | 18.65 |
| 66 | Dublin Unified | $561,100 | 1629 | 377 | 95.50% | 20.01 |
| 67 | Borrego Springs Unified | $196,300 | 1351 | 352 | 84.60% | 14.25 |
| 68 | Morongo Unified | $124,600 | 1474 | 356 | 85.60% | 21.83 |
| 69 | Tulelake Basin Joint Unified | $134,400 | 1469 | 330 | 94.40% | 13.85 |
| 70 | San Marino Unified | $1,000,000 | 1831 | 412 | 99.30% | 21.26 |
| 71 | Wheatland Union High | $195,500 | 1416 | 347 | 96.00% | 19.81 |
| 72 | Black Oak Mine Unified | $299,000 | 1523 | 359 | 91.50% | 19.75 |
| 73 | Brea-Olinda Unified | $532,100 | 1606 | 385 | 96.40% | 26.90 |
| 74 | Lakeport Unified | $209,900 | 1455 | 355 | 90.40% | 19.95 |
| 75 | Sierra Sands Unified | $177,100 | 1664 | 357 | 92.70% | 21.68 |
| 76 | Calaveras Unified | $233,700 | 1566 | 344 | 91.30% | 20.18 |
| 77 | Carmel Unified | $909,000 | 1767 | 385 | 91.30% | 15.31 |
| 78 | Live Oak Unified | $160,100 | 1283 | 341 | 94.50% | 21.22 |
| 79 | Lodi Unified | $219,500 | 1479 | 359 | 82.80% | 21.76 |
| 80 | Exeter Union High | $198,200 | 1416 | 349 | 81.30% | 21.50 |
| 81 | Hilmar Unified | $228,600 | 1409 | 356 | 90.00% | 19.33 |
| 82 | Riverdale Joint Unified | $158,900 | 1291 | 347 | 98.20% | 20.63 |
| 83 | Anderson Union High | $202,200 | 1537 | 345 | 88.00% | 22.83 |
| 84 | Yuba City Unified | $189,300 | 1478 | 342 | 83.90% | 20.00 |
| 85 | Simi Valley Unified | $433,000 | 1626 | 363 | 84.70% | 21.28 |
| 86 | Livermore Valley Joint Unified | $486,300 | 1629 | 370 | 91.40% | 20.64 |
| 87 | La Canada Unified | $1,000,000 | 1853 | 403 | 97.60% | 21.68 |
| 88 | Turlock Unified | $191,700 | 1472 | 356 | 90.10% | 21.81 |
| 89 | Central Union High | $148,500 | 1402 | 342 | 86.00% | 23.19 |
| 90 | Travis Unified | $288,300 | 1516 | 360 | 94.00% | 23.06 |
| 91 | Temecula Valley Unified | $300,600 | 1522 | 366 | 94.00% | 24.89 |
| 92 | Oroville Union High | $153,000 | 1422 | 338 | 87.00% | 21.51 |
| 93 | Holtville Unified | $135,400 | 1284 | 340 | 89.00% | 20.33 |
| 94 | ABC Unified | $483,100 | 1600 | 373 | 93.40% | 23.71 |
| 95 | Del Norte County Unified | $198,400 | 1440 | 337 | 88.60% | 19.02 |
| 96 | Fort Bragg Unified | $336,500 | 1464 | 359 | 90.70% | 15.21 |
| 97 | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified | $574,100 | 1643 | 379 | 93.20% | 23.99 |
| 98 | Bear Valley Unified | $228,400 | 1586 | 349 | 91.00% | 22.65 |
| 99 | Martinez Unified | $383,400 | 1546 | 364 | 88.40% | 21.86 |
| 100 | Moorpark Unified | $526,200 | 1647 | 360 | 90.50% | 23.59 |
| 101 | Rim of the World Unified | $227,900 | 1548 | 350 | 84.40% | 23.89 |
| 102 | Kelseyville Unified | $234,500 | 1550 | 342 | 89.60% | 20.70 |
| 103 | Visalia Unified | $178,300 | 1428 | 346 | 88.30% | 24.59 |
| 104 | Mountain View-Los Altos Union | $1,000,000 | 1817 | 394 | 94.30% | 19.36 |
| 105 | Lompoc Unified | $257,500 | 1476 | 354 | 87.50% | 20.31 |
| 106 | Santa Ynez Valley Union High | $661,300 | 1615 | 365 | 95.60% | 18.51 |
| 107 | Modesto City High | $167,900 | 1462 | 351 | 84.20% | 23.85 |
| 108 | Claremont Unified | $505,500 | 1592 | 363 | 97.30% | 23.47 |
| 109 | Hughson Unified | $207,900 | 1457 | 357 | 93.50% | 21.86 |
| 110 | Lassen Union High | $191,400 | 1465 | 345 | 88.20% | 23.36 |
| 111 | Alhambra Unified | $421,000 | 1547 | 369 | 91.40% | 25.00 |
| 112 | Ukiah Unified | $298,800 | 1550 | 347 | 82.20% | 18.45 |
| 113 | West Sonoma County Union High | $543,600 | 1713 | 366 | 91.70% | 20.34 |
| 114 | San Dieguito Union High | $813,200 | 1761 | 391 | 97.20% | 24.44 |
| 115 | Trinity Alps Unified | $255,400 | 1502 | 344 | 96.70% | 18.30 |
| 116 | Yosemite Unified | $212,600 | 1531 | 356 | 83.30% | 20.61 |
| 117 | Manhattan Beach Unified | $1,000,000 | 1776 | 413 | 95.30% | 21.48 |
| 118 | Escalon Unified | $246,900 | 1462 | 358 | 95.00% | 21.99 |
| 119 | Bonita Unified | $433,100 | 1508 | 368 | 95.20% | 23.96 |
| 120 | Amador County Unified | $270,500 | 1522 | 352 | 86.20% | 22.58 |
| 121 | Sanger Unified | $208,400 | 1424 | 343 | 96.80% | 19.70 |
| 122 | Lone Pine Unified | $165,600 | 1625 | 322 | 96.20% | 18.33 |
| 123 | Snowline Joint Unified | $166,600 | 1532 | 341 | 87.00% | 25.54 |
| 124 | Oakdale Joint Unified | $250,100 | 1513 | 349 | 86.70% | 21.88 |
| 125 | Redlands Unified | $286,500 | 1521 | 354 | 91.20% | 23.09 |
| 126 | Glendale Unified | $597,400 | 1603 | 376 | 91.90% | 22.89 |
| 127 | Merced Union High | $149,800 | 1358 | 346 | 92.90% | 23.01 |
| 128 | Southern Humboldt Joint Unified | $328,100 | 1553 | 349 | 79.40% | 17.95 |
| 129 | Fullerton Joint Union High | $441,100 | 1566 | 377 | 91.90% | 27.15 |
| 130 | Brawley Union High | $149,700 | 1362 | 344 | 93.00% | 23.82 |
| 131 | Waterford Unified | $145,400 | 1438 | 349 | 94.50% | 21.69 |
| 132 | San Juan Unified | $259,000 | 1525 | 345 | 80.80% | 21.93 |
| 133 | Templeton Unified | $428,900 | 1604 | 357 | 97.80% | 21.65 |
| 134 | Fowler Unified | $214,100 | 1333 | 341 | 98.80% | 20.45 |
| 135 | Huntington Beach Union High | $585,800 | 1584 | 373 | 93.10% | 24.44 |
| 136 | Shoreline Unified | $767,400 | 1539 | 355 | 96.20% | 12.31 |
| 137 | Castro Valley Unified | $570,600 | 1608 | 360 | 94.90% | 22.19 |
| 138 | San Marcos Unified | $388,500 | 1507 | 370 | 94.50% | 24.07 |
| 139 | West Covina Unified | $375,900 | 1515 | 344 | 96.50% | 18.90 |
| 140 | Pacific Grove Unified | $723,400 | 1689 | 370 | 93.20% | 18.11 |
| 141 | Firebaugh-Las Deltas Joint Unified | $119,300 | 1186 | 340 | 91.00% | 21.41 |
| 142 | Murrieta Valley Unified | $286,300 | 1486 | 369 | 94.40% | 26.45 |
| 143 | Natomas Unified | $229,100 | 1413 | 350 | 89.20% | 22.24 |
| 144 | Middletown Unified | $210,600 | 1478 | 348 | 92.30% | 20.01 |
| 145 | Tulare Joint Union High | $158,500 | 1363 | 342 | 87.00% | 21.75 |
| 146 | Ojai Unified | $516,100 | 1578 | 356 | 93.20% | 20.86 |
| 147 | El Segundo Unified | $736,500 | 1601 | 389 | 97.00% | 23.55 |
| 148 | Tracy Joint Unified | $251,100 | 1467 | 349 | 87.30% | 22.34 |
| 149 | Petaluma Joint Union High | $463,800 | 1608 | 357 | 92.60% | 19.78 |
| 150 | Torrance Unified | $614,100 | 1580 | 369 | 95.70% | 24.01 |
| 151 | Atascadero Unified | $388,800 | 1599 | 343 | 96.40% | 21.55 |
| 152 | Capistrano Unified | $628,400 | 1612 | 382 | 97.20% | 26.59 |
| 153 | William S. Hart Union High | $395,600 | 1611 | 368 | 93.00% | 24.97 |
| 154 | Alhambra Unified | $489,200 | 1547 | 369 | 91.40% | 25.00 |
| 155 | Willits Unified | $251,900 | 1425 | 351 | 75.80% | 17.47 |
| 156 | Tamalpais Union High | $974,800 | 1721 | 387 | 96.90% | 16.49 |
| 157 | Lake Tahoe Unified | $353,700 | 1533 | 341 | 84.90% | 20.39 |
| 158 | Valley Center-Pauma Unified | $421,700 | 1506 | 359 | 98.30% | 22.21 |
| 159 | Alpaugh Unified | $106,300 | 1126 | 339 | 70.00% | 8.13 |
| 160 | Hanford Joint Union High | $178,000 | 1384 | 345 | 88.10% | 25.11 |
| 161 | Laytonville Unified | $321,900 | 1465 | 330 | 93.60% | 16.28 |
| 162 | Corcoran Joint Unified | $123,300 | 1247 | 343 | 76.70% | 19.38 |
| 163 | Milpitas Unified | $514,700 | 1601 | 372 | 92.80% | 23.83 |
| 164 | Red Bluff Joint Union High | $193,300 | 1538 | 344 | 80.30% | 19.38 |
| 165 | Piedmont City Unified | $1,000,000 | 1711 | 388 | 98.10% | 14.80 |
| 166 | Winters Joint Unified | $286,500 | 1459 | 345 | 88.20% | 20.57 |
| 167 | Rowland Unified | $408,200 | 1488 | 362 | 83.90% | 22.21 |
| 168 | Apple Valley Unified | $170,700 | 1493 | 341 | 84.00% | 24.83 |
| 169 | Lucia Mar Unified | $442,300 | 1544 | 354 | 90.80% | 21.52 |
| 170 | Kingsburg Joint Union High | $224,900 | 1416 | 334 | 93.00% | 20.59 |
| 171 | San Mateo Union High | $814,800 | 1645 | 379 | 94.40% | 18.86 |
| 172 | Galt Joint Union High | $230,900 | 1478 | 348 | 87.50% | 23.29 |
| 173 | Santa Cruz City High | $615,100 | 1636 | 348 | 89.80% | 19.17 |
| 174 | Sacramento City Unified | $237,300 | 1406 | 345 | 85.30% | 26.21 |
| 175 | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified | $1,000,000 | 1743 | 400 | 98.80% | 22.75 |
| 176 | Orange Unified | $539,200 | 1539 | 373 | 93.90% | 24.29 |
| 177 | Laguna Beach Unified | $1,000,000 | 1750 | 387 | 96.10% | 20.86 |
| 178 | Woodland Joint Unified | $263,600 | 1426 | 345 | 86.80% | 21.68 |
| 179 | Maxwell Unified | $151,400 | 1174 | 320 | 100.00% | 18.16 |
| 180 | Corning Union High | $151,600 | 1333 | 329 | 85.40% | 18.15 |
| 181 | Stockton Unified | $126,500 | 1304 | 333 | 83.10% | 20.95 |
| 182 | Hemet Unified | $135,900 | 1443 | 344 | 79.00% | 24.48 |
| 183 | Novato Unified | $585,400 | 1605 | 362 | 92.50% | 19.30 |
| 184 | Le Grand Union High | $120,400 | 1272 | 317 | 88.70% | 17.10 |
| 185 | Coast Unified | $643,900 | 1481 | 358 | 91.90% | 15.55 |
| 186 | Tustin Unified | $599,900 | 1603 | 381 | 96.80% | 27.97 |
| 187 | Las Virgenes Unified | $809,300 | 1709 | 379 | 95.40% | 21.48 |
| 188 | Orland Joint Unified | $207,500 | 1366 | 334 | 90.70% | 21.63 |
| 189 | San Gabriel Unified | $574,500 | 1587 | 373 | 89.00% | 23.48 |
| 190 | Liberty Union High | $313,600 | 1470 | 359 | 86.90% | 24.08 |
| 191 | Covina-Valley Unified | $371,400 | 1417 | 351 | 95.70% | 22.46 |
| 192 | Vacaville Unified | $279,500 | 1507 | 342 | 84.30% | 22.56 |
| 193 | Carlsbad Unified | $593,100 | 1628 | 375 | 94.80% | 24.90 |
| 194 | Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified | $315,600 | 1605 | 362 | 83.70% | 21.14 |
| 195 | Anaheim Union High | $385,800 | 1486 | 363 | 84.30% | 24.57 |
| 196 | Saint Helena Unified | $890,900 | 1576 | 376 | 95.80% | 15.42 |
| 197 | Gateway Unified | $190,800 | 1441 | 322 | 87.80% | 17.83 |
| 198 | Anderson Valley Unified | $528,800 | 1451 | 350 | 90.50% | 15.03 |
| 199 | Upland Unified | $421,100 | 1522 | 360 | 94.50% | 24.06 |
| 200 | Esparto Unified | $245,400 | 1307 | 357 | 88.80% | 20.56 |
| 201 | Santa Rosa High | $371,400 | 1608 | 352 | 82.40% | 20.35 |
| 202 | Ripon Unified | $308,200 | 1453 | 350 | 90.20% | 23.46 |
| 203 | Charter Oak Unified | $386,400 | 1401 | 357 | 94.20% | 25.43 |
| 204 | Escondido Union High | $362,200 | 1511 | 357 | 82.60% | 21.89 |
| 205 | Garden Grove Unified | $390,400 | 1450 | 364 | 89.20% | 25.26 |
| 206 | Chawanakee Unified | $283,600 | 1463 | 352 | 92.20% | 18.12 |
| 207 | Burbank Unified | $554,700 | 1568 | 366 | 91.70% | 23.98 |
| 208 | Tehachapi Unified | $217,200 | 1550 | 356 | 88.00% | 23.40 |
| 209 | Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified | $219,100 | 1456 | 333 | 90.60% | 23.12 |
| 210 | Tahoe-Truckee Joint Unified | $477,000 | 1531 | 348 | 89.70% | 18.74 |
| 211 | Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified | $215,300 | 1343 | 327 | 74.30% | 15.76 |
| 212 | Los Molinos Unified | $160,700 | 1244 | 327 | 86.20% | 17.67 |
| 213 | Newark Unified | $433,100 | 1470 | 350 | 87.90% | 21.47 |
| 214 | River Delta Joint Unified | $239,000 | 1419 | 333 | 86.10% | 18.73 |
| 215 | Linden Unified | $308,800 | 1437 | 349 | 91.50% | 21.69 |
| 216 | Mt. Diablo Unified | $415,500 | 1536 | 342 | 82.60% | 20.98 |
| 217 | John Swett Unified | $295,000 | 1375 | 340 | 89.60% | 21.05 |
| 218 | Colusa Unified | $174,100 | 1386 | 348 | 70.70% | 20.71 |
| 219 | Riverbank Unified | $159,000 | 1321 | 338 | 83.00% | 21.33 |
| 220 | Western Placer Unified | $331,000 | 1495 | 347 | 87.70% | 19.48 |
| 221 | San Diego Unified | $420,400 | 1406 | 349 | 87.90% | 19.03 |
| 222 | Ceres Unified | $160,200 | 1344 | 341 | 85.40% | 23.69 |
| 223 | Napa Valley Unified | $407,600 | 1519 | 341 | 87.60% | 20.97 |
| 224 | Newman-Crows Landing Unified | $141,900 | 1396 | 329 | 93.10% | 24.30 |
| 225 | Aromas-San Juan Unified | $417,400 | 1458 | 354 | 97.40% | 18.57 |
| 226 | Konocti Unified | $130,400 | 1369 | 332 | 81.50% | 21.48 |
| 227 | Bellflower Unified | $369,300 | 1466 | 352 | 93.20% | 24.37 |
| 228 | Windsor Unified | $386,600 | 1590 | 344 | 89.30% | 19.57 |
| 229 | Manteca Unified | $200,800 | 1405 | 337 | 92.00% | 24.48 |
| 230 | Santa Maria Joint Union High | $274,100 | 1397 | 335 | 84.00% | 22.73 |
| 231 | Hacienda La Puente Unified | $361,500 | 1412 | 345 | 88.40% | 22.06 |
| 232 | Ramona City Unified | $383,100 | 1551 | 354 | 88.60% | 26.20 |
| 233 | Marysville Joint Unified | $165,700 | 1420 | 330 | 79.70% | 22.88 |
| 234 | Dinuba Unified | $153,600 | 1318 | 320 | 92.00% | 19.88 |
| 235 | Farmersville Unified | $105,700 | 1146 | 338 | 89.10% | 20.83 |
| 236 | San Rafael City High | $694,900 | 1558 | 362 | 91.40% | 19.13 |
| 237 | Grossmont Union High | $347,200 | 1464 | 355 | 78.30% | 25.24 |
| 238 | Delhi Unified | $134,700 | 1337 | 325 | 89.30% | 23.65 |
| 239 | Kerman Unified | $170,200 | 1356 | 346 | 87.20% | 25.26 |
| 240 | Berkeley Unified | $698,600 | 1669 | 347 | 85.50% | 16.00 |
| 241 | Chino Valley Unified | $384,200 | 1478 | 350 | 89.00% | 25.82 |
| 242 | Beverly Hills Unified | $1,000,000 | 1733 | 391 | 95.00% | 16.72 |
| 243 | Coalinga-Huron Joint Unified | $145,900 | 1389 | 318 | 71.00% | 22.28 |
| 244 | Fairfield-Suisun Unified | $251,300 | 1454 | 331 | 89.50% | 24.15 |
| 245 | Chaffey Joint Union High | $297,500 | 1426 | 351 | 86.20% | 26.20 |
| 246 | Patterson Joint Unified | $166,800 | 1380 | 339 | 87.70% | 25.06 |
| 247 | Paso Robles Joint Unified | $366,600 | 1552 | 345 | 87.50% | 22.15 |
| 248 | Selma Unified | $173,600 | 1314 | 332 | 91.10% | 20.62 |
| 249 | El Tejon Unified | $208,200 | 1489 | 337 | 84.40% | 24.18 |
| 250 | Lake Elsinore Unified | $223,300 | 1411 | 344 | 88.80% | 23.70 |
| 251 | Taft Union High | $119,700 | 1410 | 338 | 96.90% | 15.18 |
| 252 | Azusa Unified | $304,500 | 1346 | 334 | 93.00% | 20.24 |
| 253 | Calexico Unified | $153,600 | 1321 | 325 | 75.40% | 25.85 |
| 254 | Victor Valley Union High | $135,200 | 1343 | 339 | 78.50% | 24.68 |
| 255 | Kings Canyon Joint Unified | $169,200 | 1313 | 337 | 90.00% | 21.27 |
| 256 | Culver City Unified | $609,200 | 1530 | 369 | 86.60% | 23.01 |
| 257 | Lucerne Valley Unified | $101,100 | 1342 | 349 | 68.40% | 19.19 |
| 258 | Healdsburg Unified | $518,900 | 1572 | 345 | 89.30% | 21.08 |
| 259 | Barstow Unified | $104,100 | 1299 | 328 | 73.10% | 22.63 |
| 260 | Dixon Unified | $298,400 | 1460 | 339 | 81.00% | 21.97 |
| 261 | Twin Rivers Unified | $155,600 | 1343 | 328 | 75.30% | 20.40 |
| 262 | Desert Sands Unified | $278,900 | 1393 | 353 | 85.60% | 25.09 |
| 263 | Redondo Beach Unified | $715,000 | 1592 | 371 | 90.70% | 23.85 |
| 264 | Vista Unified | $360,200 | 1510 | 351 | 81.10% | 22.92 |
| 265 | Antioch Unified | $232,600 | 1421 | 336 | 77.80% | 22.50 |
| 266 | San Lorenzo Unified | $335,000 | 1392 | 344 | 85.80% | 21.91 |
| 267 | New Haven Unified | $460,700 | 1524 | 345 | 79.80% | 23.71 |
| 268 | Mammoth Unified | $490,300 | 1530 | 356 | 82.00% | 17.71 |
| 269 | Delano Joint Union High | $138,400 | 1319 | 361 | 92.90% | 25.28 |
| 270 | King City Joint Union High | $196,900 | 1359 | 331 | 82.60% | 25.60 |
| 271 | Downey Unified | $396,200 | 1418 | 353 | 92.70% | 24.54 |
| 272 | Hesperia Unified | $152,200 | 1343 | 332 | 83.20% | 25.65 |
| 273 | Oceanside Unified | $327,700 | 1519 | 347 | 87.00% | 24.25 |
| 274 | Salinas Union High | $287,500 | 1378 | 333 | 80.20% | 21.45 |
| 275 | Palo Verde Unified | $124,100 | 1342 | 316 | 81.70% | 24.28 |
| 276 | Campbell Union High | $681,600 | 1604 | 361 | 91.40% | 21.88 |
| 277 | Fresno Unified | $158,900 | 1338 | 325 | 76.20% | 20.83 |
| 278 | Pierce Joint Unified | $220,700 | 1356 | 337 | 94.60% | 20.25 |
| 279 | Beaumont Unified | $199,200 | 1414 | 339 | 88.90% | 26.21 |
| 280 | San Benito High | $339,300 | 1469 | 343 | 88.70% | 25.36 |
| 281 | Chowchilla Union High | $155,500 | 1420 | 331 | 80.80% | 22.58 |
| 282 | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified | $345,300 | 1399 | 341 | 94.00% | 23.42 |
| 283 | Jefferson Union High | $581,400 | 1489 | 351 | 91.00% | 22.44 |
| 284 | El Monte Union High | $371,900 | 1377 | 344 | 86.70% | 21.95 |
| 285 | Los Banos Unified | $146,000 | 1350 | 338 | 89.50% | 26.52 |
| 286 | Duarte Unified | $360,600 | 1385 | 340 | 93.20% | 22.58 |
| 287 | Long Beach Unified | $421,000 | 1427 | 344 | 80.80% | 25.07 |
| 288 | South San Francisco Unified | $577,300 | 1467 | 349 | 93.80% | 22.43 |
| 289 | Palm Springs Unified | $194,100 | 1328 | 341 | 87.20% | 25.32 |
| 290 | Fallbrook Union High | $443,400 | 1491 | 346 | 86.00% | 22.62 |
| 291 | Baldwin Park Unified | $285,100 | 1342 | 337 | 93.20% | 24.16 |
| 292 | Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified | $108,500 | 1316 | 317 | 87.50% | 26.65 |
| 293 | East Side Union High | $469,000 | 1459 | 352 | 82.00% | 22.85 |
| 294 | San Jacinto Unified | $126,200 | 1300 | 338 | 81.60% | 24.85 |
| 295 | Perris Union High | $182,000 | 1361 | 344 | 84.40% | 28.18 |
| 296 | Calistoga Joint Unified | $477,800 | 1336 | 345 | 83.30% | 16.51 |
| 297 | Morgan Hill Unified | $596,600 | 1522 | 357 | 93.20% | 23.16 |
| 298 | Fontana Unified | $208,700 | 1311 | 342 | 86.40% | 23.69 |
| 299 | Pomona Unified | $286,900 | 1292 | 323 | 79.10% | 16.35 |
| 300 | Mountain Empire Unified | $242,700 | 1365 | 330 | 70.00% | 16.54 |
| 301 | Rialto Unified | $168,900 | 1316 | 332 | 80.00% | 24.05 |
| 302 | San Leandro Unified | $373,800 | 1384 | 334 | 82.40% | 20.63 |
| 303 | San Bernardino City Unified | $158,300 | 1318 | 327 | 75.50% | 21.90 |
| 304 | Mendota Unified | $112,800 | 1215 | 317 | 80.40% | 22.39 |
| 305 | Central Unified | $191,600 | 1327 | 327 | 79.60% | 23.66 |
| 306 | Antelope Valley Union Joint High | $167,700 | 1362 | 327 | 77.70% | 24.35 |
| 307 | Fillmore Unified | $305,600 | 1449 | 322 | 87.20% | 24.44 |
| 308 | Sweetwater Union High | $331,000 | 1411 | 350 | 83.20% | 23.69 |
| 309 | Point Arena Joint Union High | $476,400 | 1310 | 326 | 81.30% | 10.18 |
| 310 | Denair Unified | $280,800 | 1449 | 323 | 75.00% | 16.04 |
| 311 | Santa Ana Unified | $342,300 | 1359 | 335 | 85.90% | 23.40 |
| 312 | Gilroy Unified | $464,400 | 1536 | 360 | 83.80% | 22.34 |
| 313 | Cabrillo Unified | $745,100 | 1653 | 364 | 88.70% | 23.24 |
| 314 | Oxnard Union High | $371,000 | 1426 | 339 | 77.50% | 24.86 |
| 315 | Corona-Norco Unified | $348,200 | 1462 | 352 | 91.90% | 24.48 |
| 316 | Riverside Unified | $262,000 | 1428 | 342 | 85.50% | 25.39 |
| 317 | San Jose Unified | $646,400 | 1534 | 355 | 81.70% | 19.94 |
| 318 | Madera Unified | $156,500 | 1312 | 327 | 83.40% | 22.28 |
| 319 | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified | $1,000,000 | 1616 | 383 | 93.50% | 20.83 |
| 320 | Southern Kern Unified | $121,100 | 1401 | 321 | 77.60% | 24.67 |
| 321 | El Rancho Unified | $331,100 | 1311 | 346 | 87.50% | 23.77 |
| 322 | Monrovia Unified | $493,400 | 1319 | 362 | 86.80% | 22.23 |
| 323 | Santa Clara Unified | $581,200 | 1526 | 355 | 81.30% | 22.72 |
| 324 | Cloverdale Unified | $353,500 | 1463 | 339 | 79.30% | 21.57 |
| 325 | Parlier Unified | $113,000 | 1240 | 318 | 80.70% | 20.88 |
| 326 | Reef-Sunset Unified | $114,600 | 1191 | 307 | 77.10% | 21.49 |
| 327 | Caruthers Unified | $231,100 | 1237 | 320 | 92.10% | 19.24 |
| 328 | Val Verde Unified | $173,100 | 1306 | 338 | 90.20% | 25.17 |
| 329 | Wasco Union High | $132,000 | 1374 | 344 | 83.50% | 24.44 |
| 330 | Upper Lake Union High | $162,700 | 1366 | 310 | 84.70% | 20.65 |
| 331 | Colton Joint Unified | $193,900 | 1335 | 322 | 77.80% | 21.20 |
| 332 | Paramount Unified | $281,400 | 1284 | 336 | 80.80% | 23.61 |
| 333 | Newport-Mesa Unified | $834,000 | 1513 | 370 | 93.40% | 22.20 |
| 334 | Carpinteria Unified | $654,000 | 1462 | 346 | 91.60% | 22.19 |
| 335 | Whittier Union High | $362,400 | 1350 | 352 | 87.30% | 27.30 |
| 336 | Willows Unified | $219,800 | 1311 | 320 | 82.70% | 25.74 |
| 337 | Sequoia Union High | $902,900 | 1570 | 363 | 87.70% | 17.75 |
| 338 | Bassett Unified | $312,500 | 1324 | 336 | 91.30% | 22.79 |
| 339 | Sonoma Valley Unified | $506,100 | 1536 | 335 | 87.60% | 20.94 |
| 340 | Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified | $142,500 | 1138 | 314 | 76.30% | 19.20 |
| 341 | Santa Paula Union High | $324,200 | 1308 | 332 | 85.10% | 26.89 |
| 342 | Gonzales Unified | $214,300 | 1260 | 305 | 81.00% | 22.41 |
| 343 | Pittsburg Unified | $210,200 | 1319 | 318 | 71.30% | 21.51 |
| 344 | Moreno Valley Unified | $179,300 | 1327 | 326 | 81.50% | 23.44 |
| 345 | Vallejo City Unified | $218,300 | 1345 | 330 | 65.00% | 23.61 |
| 346 | Porterville Unified | $133,600 | 1353 | 330 | 83.70% | 25.43 |
| 347 | Alvord Unified | $226,400 | 1366 | 344 | 80.20% | 25.83 |
| 348 | Kern Union High | $165,300 | 1367 | 338 | 79.60% | 22.87 |
| 349 | Monterey Peninsula Unified | $448,600 | 1381 | 340 | 85.00% | 19.44 |
| 350 | Coachella Valley Unified | $139,200 | 1209 | 325 | 79.10% | 21.69 |
| 351 | Lindsay Unified | $148,800 | 1300 | 315 | 82.70% | 24.01 |
| 352 | Jurupa Unified | $216,600 | 1353 | 331 | 82.00% | 23.06 |
| 353 | Williams Unified | $169,000 | 1312 | 300 | 78.70% | 22.44 |
| 354 | Alameda City Unified | $618,800 | 1475 | 363 | 84.70% | 20.29 |
| 355 | McFarland Unified | $115,800 | 1199 | 331 | 83.30% | 18.68 |
| 356 | Hayward Unified | $332,600 | 1340 | 338 | 76.70% | 23.07 |
| 357 | Montebello Unified | $365,300 | 1336 | 332 | 87.30% | 25.24 |
| 358 | West Contra Costa Unified | $326,100 | 1343 | 324 | 79.90% | 22.04 |
| 359 | Gonzales Unified | $304,800 | 1260 | 305 | 81.00% | 22.41 |
| 360 | North Monterey County Unified | $353,100 | 1355 | 326 | 81.90% | 20.11 |
| 361 | Porterville Unified | $167,900 | 1353 | 330 | 83.70% | 25.43 |
| 362 | Soledad Unified | $206,400 | 1272 | 313 | 84.00% | 23.66 |
| 363 | Banning Unified | $158,700 | 1282 | 314 | 83.70% | 26.77 |
| 364 | Mojave Unified | $88,500 | 1280 | 318 | 74.90% | 23.61 |
| 365 | Pajaro Valley Joint Unified | $444,600 | 1365 | 321 | 88.60% | 25.06 |
| 366 | San Francisco Unified | $744,600 | 1353 | 338 | 81.70% | 17.04 |
| 367 | Pasadena Unified | $600,600 | 1338 | 330 | 82.80% | 20.44 |
| 368 | Acton-Agua Dulce Unified | $451,600 | 1395 | 335 | 86.60% | 23.36 |
| 369 | Los Angeles Unified | $417,000 | 1254 | 330 | 68.10% | 20.68 |
| 370 | La Honda-Pescadero Unified | $884,800 | 1423 | 340 | 87.50% | 12.70 |
| 371 | Centinela Valley Union High | $386,300 | 1247 | 317 | 68.20% | 25.63 |
| 372 | Inglewood Unified | $352,400 | 1210 | 318 | 80.60% | 26.07 |
| 373 | Compton Unified | $238,200 | 1169 | 308 | 65.00% | 23.25 |
| 374 | Emery Unified | $296,000 | 1182 | 319 | 80.00% | 17.07 |
| 375 | Oakland Unified | $428,800 | 1254 | 327 | 62.80% | 18.14 |
NerdWallet analyzed California’s unified and secondary school districts. Some districts were excluded from the final list because they lacked education or housing data.
Palo Alto, California, image via iStock.
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